Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi is 'tickled pink' to inspire a Barbie doll
Like many little girls, a young Kristi Yamaguchi loved playing with Barbie. So, it’s surreal for the decorated Olympian figure skater to now be a Barbie girl herself. Mattel announced Wednesday that there will be a Yamaguchi doll as part of Barbie's “Inspiring Women Series.” Yamaguchi was the first Asian American to win an individual figure skating gold medal at the Olympics. She says that having a Barbie is an honor and she hopes it can inspire Asian American kids. The doll’s release is timed for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in May. Mattel replicated the then 20-year-old Yamaguchi's outfit and look at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
Korean War veteran from Minnesota will finally get his Purple Heart medal, 73 years late
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Korean War veteran from Minnesota who still carries shrapnel in his leg from when he was wounded in combat will finally get his Purple Heart medal, 73 years late. The U.S. Army notified 96-year-old Earl Meyer, of St. Peter, this week that it has reversed itself and granted him a Purple Heart, which honors service members wounded or killed in combat. The decision came after a campaign by his daughters and attorney. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota championed his case, which previously had been rejected due to a lack of documentation. Attorney Alan Anderson says they’re now hoping to arrange a presentation ceremony “in the near future.”
Tesla 1Q profit falls 55%, but stock jumps as company moves to speed production of cheaper vehicles
Tesla’s first-quarter net income plummeted 55%, but its stock price surged in after-hours trading Tuesday as the company said it would accelerate production of new, more affordable vehicles. The company said it made $1.13 billion from January through March compared with $2.51 billion in the same period a year ago. Investors and analysts were looking for some sign that Tesla will take steps to stem its stock's slide this year and grow sales. The company did that in a letter to investors Tuesday, saying that production of smaller, more affordable models will start in the second half next year, sooner than previous guidance. The smaller models apparently include the Model 2 small car that is expected to cost around $25,000.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photographer who worked for hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion says she was an abusive boss who fired him unfairly after he was forced to watch her have sex. Emilio Garcia says in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles that he was stuck next to Megan while she had sex with another woman in an SUV in Spain in 2022. The suit says she ordered him not to tell anyone and fired him days later. It says Garcia suffered from the incident, the firing and abusive treatment he underwent as an employee. Megan's lawyer calls the accusations a “salacious” attempt to embarrass her and says she will fight the suit in court.
Phish fans are famously dedicated. What happens when they enter the Sphere?
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The 20,000 fans walking toward the glowing Sphere in Las Vegas last week were there for a band that many visiting the Strip have no idea exists. Fans followed Phish to Vegas for their four shows as they do no matter where the Vermont jam band goes. Phish had played Vegas 26 times before but they were only the second band to play at the $2.3 billion Sphere after U2 opened it. When fans got inside, they were greeted with a LED screen the size of a football field. Over four nights, the band played 68 songs with no repeats, all accompanied by immersive visuals.
George Santos ends comeback bid for Congress after raising no money
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos says he's dropping his longshot bid to return to Congress, months after he was expelled from the House while facing a slew of federal fraud charges. Santos said he was withdrawing from the race in a post Tuesday on the social media platform X. He had been running as an independent candidate for the 1st Congressional District in New York. The announcement came after the disgraced former congressman’s campaign committee reported no fundraising or expenditures in March, raising speculation that his campaign had failed to get off the ground.
Crew members injured in crash on Georgia set of Eddie Murphy Amazon MGM movie 'The Pickup'
Several crew members were injured when a car and truck collided on the Georgia set of the Eddie Murphy film “The Pickup.” Amazon MGM Studios says in a statement that the accident happened Saturday and all safety precautions were taken beforehand. A person close to the production not authorized to speak publicly told The Associated Press that the injuries ranged from bruises to broken bones. Two people were taken to the hospital, and one remained hospitalized Tuesday. All are expected to make a full recovery. Neither Murphy nor any of the other stars of the action comedy were on the set at the time of the accident.
Minnesota senator wanted late father's ashes when she broke into stepmother's home, charges say
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Criminal charges say that a Minnesota state senator told police she broke into her stepmother’s home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes. Democratic Sen. Nicole Mitchell of Woodbury was arrested early Monday at the home in Detroit Lakes. The arresting officer said he heard Mitchell tell her stepmother she was trying to get some of her dad’s things because the stepmother had cut off contact. The complaint, filed Tuesday, charges the former broadcast meteorologist with one count of first-degree burglary. Court records don't list an attorney for her.
Nikola Jokic's brother reportedly involved in an altercation after the Nuggets beat the Lakers
DENVER (AP) — The NBA and Denver police are looking into an incident in which a man reported to be one of the brothers of Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was seen punching a fan after the team’s buzzer-beating 101-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA playoffs. In videos shared by TMZ and other outlets, the man is seen climbing over seats to confront another person at Ball Arena, who he then punches in the face. The altercation supposedly happened after the Nuggets completed a comeback from a 20-point deficit to take a 2-0 lead in the first-round series.
Alligator on runway at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida captured, released into nearby river
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Officials say a large alligator that made its way onto the runway at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa has been captured and moved to a nearby river. Base officials say the toothy reptile was spotted Monday morning beside the landing gear of a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft. Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were summoned. They captured the animal and then released it into the nearby Hillsborough River. Wildlife officials say alligators become more likely to wander into unfamiliar territory in April as they search for mates.
